Bed-motion for two-revolution flat-bed presses.



I M. A. DROITGOUR. BED MOTION FOR TWO-REVOLUTION FLAT BED PRESSES.

APPLICATION FILED FEB. 21. 191k Patented Oct. 24. 1911.

3 SHEETS -SHEET Iv M. A. DROITCOUR. BED MOTION FOR TWO-HEVDLUTION FLAT BED PRESSBS.

APPLICATION FILED FEB 21 1911 M A W m 3 m 0 8N :Q m N m QM s i 4 i6 m w 3 mm i H l M Q I h M, I 1 r d M1, mw Y N U 1 w H, w Q 1 ,L A w QN N N W N law 8 N KN N L V UQQNW M. A. DROITGOUR. BED MOTION FOR TWO-REVOLUTION FLAT BED PRBS8ES.

A w x fi mu VFW AN mw m y \w%m%////////%// UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

MICHAEL ANDREW DROIT'COUR, OF-OAK PARK, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR TO MIEHLE PRINT- ING PRESS AND MANUFACTURING COMPANY. OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A CORPORA- TION OF ILLINOIS.

BED-MOTION FOB TWO-REVOLUTION FLAT-BED PRESSES.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Oct. 24, 1911.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, MICHAEL A. Dnorreoun, of Oak Park, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Bed- Motions for 'lwo-Revolution Flat-Bed Presses and I hereby declare that the following 1s a full, clear, and exact description thereof, reference being bad tolthe accompanying drawings, which form' part of this specification.

This invention is an improvement in means for converting rotary into reciprocating motion, and has particular reference to the means fol-reciprocating the type beds offlat-bed and cylinder printing resses such for example as the well mown Miehle flat-bed printin ress.

The articular object o t e invention is to provlde novel means for driving the bed during one part of its stroke witha uniform speed of movement, and for then reversing1 tie motion of the bed at the end of .eae stroke with a raetieally true cranlgmotion, so that the be will be slowed dowt'l, stopped and started back with ace-eleratin s eed until it is again moving at the speed 0 the uniform drn'ing means, and the change from the uniform motion to the reversing motion will be accomplished without shock or 'ar. l

n'other object. of the invention is to drive the bed and reverse it at the end of each stroke, by means of a sin le bed-driving gear engaging a rack on the bed, such gear being rotated alternately in opposite directions so as to drive the bed in both directions and throughout ,its entire stroke; and means being provided for driving the gear at uniform speed during part of its revolution, and for then slowing down, stopping and reversing the motion of the gear so as to similarly affect the bed.

By this invention the bed is controlled at all times, and at all parts of its stroke, by direct mesh between the bed drivin gear and the bed rack, so that the bed and bed driving gear are not disengaged at any time either vertically or horizontally.

The invention comprises (1) novel means for driving the bed driving gear alternately in opposite directions at full speed; (2) nove means whereby such gear is slowed down, stopped and its motion reversed independently of the means for driving the gear at uniform speed; the means for slowing down and reversing the rotation of the bed driving gear have control of such gear While the mechanisms for uniformly r0- tating said gear havc'lost control thereof; and the proper mechanism for uniformly rotating the gear has control of the bed-driving-gear when the reversing mechanism loses control thereof; the arts being so arranged that the proper mechanism for driving the 3:

gear at uniform speed will take control thereof as ahd before the mechanism for rcversing such gear surrenders control there of, an vice versa; so that the bed driving gear will at all times be under direct control of the proper actuating mechanism whereby certainty of its operation is assured at'gll times.

In the drawingsFigure 1 is a conventional side elevation of part of a. printing. press equipped with my improved bed more; ment. Fig. 2 is an end view of Fig. 1. Figs. 3, 4 and 5 are enlarged detail views illustrating different positions of the reversing mechanism. Fig. (i is a detail view showing the pinions 4, 4 in another position. Fig.- 7 is a detail view of t-.\e gear 1.

The press to which the invention is up plied may be of any usual construction and is simply conventionally indicated in the drawings. On the shaft of the cylinder (I .IS a gear 1 which mesheswith u gear 1" loosely mounted on a, counter-shaft 2. Gear 1 is driven by a pinion 3 on a driving shaft 3.

The uniform driving motion.--Keyed on shaft 2 beside gear 1 isa gear 2-; gear 2" may be driven at times from gear 1* by means of a pinion 4 slidably mounted on a stub-shaft 4 attached to the frame of the machine. This pinion 4 may be shifted longiludinally on the stud 4. so as to more pinion 4 into or out of engagement with gearZ, by means of a yolcelever 4- having' a roller 4 engaging an annular groove 1- in the hub of gear 4; and lover l is fulcrluned at 4? on brackets altinabod to the main frame, and has a roller 4* at its lower end engaging a rave cam l keyed on a. shaft 4' journaled in the frame and driven by a gear 4 from a pinion 5 on the counter-shaft 5, which operates the bed reversing meclra-- nism. 'On shaft 5 is a pinion 5 which till posite direction the ear 2 is driven meansofa -which meshes with a rack 72 on bed B.

When the gear 2" is driven.from gear 1 bv means of the intermediate 4" (Fig. 2)

the shaft 2 is rotated in one direction and consequently bed B will be moved in one direction by the engagem of gear 2 with rack b. In order to drive the bed in the opfrom the gear 1, instead 0 from the gear 1'; by inion 4" on the inner end of the hub of pinlon 4; the pinions 4, 4 being in such relative ositions that when the pinion 4 is moved inward so as to engage gears 1, 2 (Fig. 2), pinion 4 is out of mesh with gear 1 ;.but if pinions 4, 4" are moved outward to the position shown in Fig. 6, pinion 4 will be moved out of position to mesh with gear 1*,but remains-in mesh with gear 2 and at the same time pinion 4" will be moved into position to mesh with gear 1; consequently the motion of pinions 4, 4* will be reversed; and therefore the motion of gear 2,.will also be reversed and it will, be rotated o positely to a gear 1 and there-- fore the be gear 2 will be driven in the opposite direction and move the bed B in the opposite direction'also.

The gears 1, 1? are double-width, gears and a portion of the teeth atthe inner side of gear '1 are referably removed as indicated at 1*. Simi arly gear 1 pre @rably has part of its teeth cut away on th outer side, as

indicated at 1. The cut-away portions 1, 1 of the gears 1, 1 are of such length (about 120) and are relatively so. located that the intermediate pinions 4", 4: can be shifted as above described .on the stub shaft 4 without causing anyclash between .their teeth and the teeth of gears 1,1, during the shifting period; and the shifts of the pinions 4 4" are caused to occur at'the time that the bed driving gear 2 is under the control of the reversing mechanism, which is constructed as follows:

'The renewing mechanism.-Formed with or ri idly attached to the bed gear 2,-(or k'eye on shaft 2 at-a convenient position, preferably closely. adjacent to gear 2)-is a segment, 2 which is provided with two toothed sectors 2 and-'2 which may be slightly separated, and each sector 2, 2 (in the example shown) extendin about 60. These sectors 2, 2' are adapte .to be alternately engaged with a rack 6' on a sliding bar 6, which is mounted in suitable supports.

in the frame and is 'reciprocated back and forth by a crank motion. As shown bar 6 is reciprocaterl by means of a Scotch yoke crank motion comprising a head 6 on the 1,ooa,vas

end of the bar provided with a vertical slot 6 which is engaged by a roller 5 on a crank arm 5" attached to shaft 5.

In the example shown in the drawings, the parts are so proportioned that the bed driving gear 2 will be driven about two-thirds of a revolution in one direction by gear 2, while gear 2 is drivenfrom gear 1 by intermediate 4. engagement with gear 1' and leaves ear 2' free; and while gear 2 is thus fre from gear 1" the motion of the bed is reversed as hereinafter explained, by action of the sector 2 'andrack 6="(Fig. 5). During this period of reversal of the bed, the gear 2 is slowed down, stopped and started to rotate in the opposite direction, consequently gear 2 is also started to rotate in the opposite direction, and the pinions 4', 4 are shifted so that pinion 4' is moved out ofv position to mesh with gear 1; and. pinion 4 is moved into position to mesh with gear 1. And at, or. before, the end of this reversal period the pinionfi comes into mesh with the teeth on gear 1, and consequently motion is transmitted from gear 1 through pinions 4, 4 to gear 2 in a direction opposite to that in which it was driven from gear 1; and after the reversal, the gear 2 continues to move the bed drivin gear at uniform s ecd for about two-thirds ofa revolution 0 gear 2. Then pinion-4" enters the mutilated portion I of gear 1, and leaves gear 2 free of both am 1', 1 for the time being. But just beore gear 1 isthus freed, the sector 2 and rack 6 take control of the bed gear 2 (Fig. 3'), and(while the gear '2 is, freed from control 'of gc'ars 1 or-1)-reverse the movement of the bed driving gear 2 :1 .d the bed. While the bed is thus being reversed pinions 4", 4' are shiftedso as to move pinion 4" out of-position' to'engage gearl and pinion 4; back into and rack Glose control of the bed, the gear 2 is again taken under control of gear 1 I gear 1 while rotating opposite the ga 1 in such gear; and the'pinion 4" is li ewise shifted into and out of position to engage gear 1 while rotating op osite the gap 1 in gear 1. Assumin thatt ebed is moving to the'left during t e time gear 2 is driven from gear 1'; then just as or before pinion 4 enters the gap 1 of gear 1 the toothed sector 2 comes into mesh with the rack 6 'on bar 6- which is then being moved inthe direction in which thesecto'r 2 is moving and at the same time and speed as the sector Then gear 4 is shifted out of osition to engage the teeth of. gear 1; so tat as, or before, the sector 2 v6'' lose control of the bed, pinion lower side of the slot 6, while t e (see Fig. 5). And while gear 2 is freed from the driving control of either r ar 1 or 1 the rack bar 6 is reciprocatedi while roller 5 is moving from the bottom to the top oil slot 6; and as bar 6 moves to the right (through the engagement of sector 2 and rack '65) it arrests the motion of the bedi driving gear 2", and consequently of the bed, and. brin some: to a full stop; and then the rack in-*6- arnd sector 2" (and con seqnentivy heddrivin g gear 2) are started in the reverse direction and while the rack bar iszmoivin tothe left the of the bed is acceleratc untilgear 2 is "vipig the bed andigear 2 at the speed! oi the gears 1i, 1:. Inthe meantime cam 49 shifts pinions 4", 4* so t at i-nzion 4" is brought into position to mesh with gear 11, and consequently gear 25 willbe driven; from gear" ]i--as above explainedr--a-11d wi il, propeli the bed omwardt in the direction in which the sector 2started it, with uniform speed until (in the example shown-)1 gears 1, 1;, 2, 2, have made two-thirds 01 a revolution. Then the in ion 4:" enters the gap 1 of gear 1 and: rees gear 2 from gear 1; and as or before pinion 4.runs out of mesh with gear 1 sector 2 which is moving with gear 2 comes into'meshywith: the rack 6, Fig. 3,. (which is then being movedby thecrank 5 art the s ed equalto that of the bed); and while i: egear 2 is freed from geaxrsl, 11, the rack 6 and sector 2 have omitrol of the bed and first slow down and stoptho-beddriving ear 2 and" then reverse its motionand sees crate same until gear 2 is again rotating at the same speed and in the same direction as go if L. The. pinions 4, 4 are meanwhile sh ft'd so that, just as or before the sector 2 and rack 4: again comes into mesh with gears 1 2 and con sequently gear 1 continues to drive car 2"-- in the direction in which bed gear 2 18 their rotating for abo'utsnother' two-thirds revolution of gear 1; then the sector 2 an-d rack 6. again take control of the bed, and simultaneously gear 2' is freed from both gears 1 1., by the shifting of pinions 4?, 4" as described.

In the example shown the rack bar 6' makes three complete reeiprocations for each reciprocation of the bed; that is it makes one-half reciprocation while the roller or I per to the wrist-pin 5" is moving from the u ms is being reversed at the rightha'nd en of its stroke (Fig. 3), which is suflicient to reverse the at that end of its stroke; the, bar men fnakcs a complete reciprocation While the roller 5". is makin a complete orbital rotation during the time that the bed is under the control of the gears 1 and 2"; and bar G'then makes another one-half reci roca-tion while the roller 5 is traveling mm the bottom to the top of the slot (see ig. 5),

- and which: sufliocs to reverse the bed at the left hand and of its stroke, and bar 6 makes smother reciprocation while the bed is under the control of the gears l and 2 before it begins to again reverse the bed at the right hand end of its stroke. In other words shaft 5- is geared to rotate three times to every two rewrl urtionsaof the shaft 2. The out 2 attached to the side of the gear 2 enables me to reverse the bed; as above described, and out he some time the-subsequent movement of the t by the gear prevents any clash or interference between the se ant and the rack bar 6 during the-idl'e stro res of the rack hero, or tho;time when the bed is therefore I do not have to provide any means to shift the rack bar 6' to prevent clash. In the example shown bed gear 2 makes practical] one revolution in movin the bed a comp iete stroke ineither direction, including the starting and sto ping at the ends of the uniform portions 0 its stroke,- -and is rotated alternately in opposite directions.

The relative speed of movement of the bed as compared with the speed of rotation of the gears 1, 2 can be varied by varying the size of the gear-'12. The length of move ment imqiarted to the bed for each rocking motion ot the shaft 2 can be varied by changing the size of the gear 2. The len h of time, or proportion of extent of revo ution 0t 1- 2, required for a reversal can be varied by roperly designin the sectors 2', 2' and the iiength of the cran 5".

Preferably when gear 2' is being driven directly from 1" the bed is on its rinting stroke; an when or 2 is being riven directly from r 1 t is bed is on its return idle stroke on pinions 4, .4 are in mesh with gears 1', 2" respectively, they serve as an ihtermedia-te to rotate gear 2 opposite to 1. But when pinion 4' is'in mesh with gears 1, 2'.it merely serves to cause these two gears to rotate together in the same direction.

Pinions 4, 4 are practically a unit,-and

mains constantly in mesh with They impart motion to gear 2 in alternate directions. When pinions 4, 4 are in the gaps 1*, 1 of gears 1, 1', then the pinions are driven by gear 2' and are reversed with said gear, and then continue to drive gear 2 in the proper direction.-

The gaps 1, 1 in varied in extent but should be suflicient in length to perm-it the segment 2 and rack 6 to reverse the motion of the bed driving gear 2 while the pinions 4*, 4 are not in operative mesh with either gear 1 or 1'. When the bud driving gear 2 attains normal speed (i. 12. when gear 2 is running at the same speul as gear 1) the intermediate 4 (or 4, 4 as the case may be) again comes under oontrol of the gears 1" or 2', and

may be formed in one piece. Pinion 4 1;

gears 1, 1 may be reduced.

Y nately locked to the What I claim is: 1. In combination, a bed drlvi gear, a shaft carrying said gear, a gear eyed' to said shaft, a pair of oppositely rotating driven gears, and means whereby sai lgears may be alternately caused to e gear fixed on said shaft; with driven drive t means for reversing the rotation of the shaft while both gears are disengaged therefrom, said means comprising a segment on the shaft and a reciprocating rack bar.

2. In combination, a reci roosting bed, a rack attached thereto, a driving gear, a shaft carrying said gear, a gear keyed on said shaft, a riven gear loose on said shaft beside the latter gear; a second driven gear, and intermediate pinions adapted to transmit motion from either of the driven gears to the for shi said intermediate pinions so as to alterna y drive the said keyed gear from said driven gears. Y

3. In com ination, a bed drivin gear, a shaft carrying said gear, Qqigear eyed to said sh ft; a pair of oppositely rotating driven gears, and intermediate pinions whereby said driven gears may be alterar keyed on said rovided with shaft, said driven gears eing e intermedigaps to permit shifting of t' ates' wit of the shaft while both driven gears are disen aged therefrom.

4. rack attached' thereto, a b drivin gear, a shaft. carrying said, gear, agear eyed on said shaft, a; loose .driven'gear on said shaft, beside-the. latter geari a second driven gear, and intermediate'pimons adapted to transmit motion fromeither of the driven gears to the ar keyedon the shaft; with means to alternately for shi ting said intermediate pinions so as drive the said keyed gear from said dr ven gears; with means for reversing the rotation ofthe shaft while the keyed on the shaft; with means means for reversing the rotation 11 combination, aregprocating'bed, a;

driven gears are not in control thereof, coma second driven gear, and means to 'transmit motion from either of the driven gears to the gear keyed on the shaft; with means for reversing the motion of the shaft comprisin a segment on the shaft, and a crank actuated rack bar ada ted to be engaged by the segment while t e driven gears are out of control of the shaft. Y

6. Means for. reciprocating type beds, comprising a rack attached to the bed, a bed driving gear engaging the rack, a shaft car ing said gear, a gear keyed on said she t, a loose driven gear on said shaft beside.the keyed gear, a second driven ear meshing with the loose gear; intermediate pinions adapted to transmit motion' from either of the driven gears to said keyed gear on the shaft, said driven gears hem provided with gaps to permit the shifting of the intermedmte pinions without clash; and means for shifting said intermediate pinions so as to alternately drive the said keyed gear from said driven gears; with means for re versing the motion of the shaft, while the dgiven gears are freed therefrom, comprisi g sectors on the shaft, and a crank actuated rack bar ada tedto be engaged by the sectors substantia 1y as described.

7 The qombinatlon of a shaft, a gear fixed thereon, oppositely rotating gears and shifting inions adapted to transmit motion alternate from the oppositely rotating gears to t e gear fixed on the shaft, thereby rotating said shaft alternately in opposite directions, and means independent of the 100 said. gear for reversing the rotation of the shaft while said gears are not in control thereof.

8. In combination, a reciprocating memher, a rack attached thereto, a gear meshing 105 'with said rack, oppositely rotating gears and shifting pinions adapted to transmit motion alternately from said oppositely rotating gears to said rack engaging gear in opposite directions, and means for revers- 110 ing the motion of said gear while the said driving gearing is freed therefrom; the driving gearing and the reversing means acting alternate y. Y 9.'The combination of a member, arack attached thereto, a shaft, a gear fixed on said shaft and'meshing Wltll said rack. oppositely rotating gears and shifting pinions adapted to transmit moreciprocating tion alternately from the o positely what 4 gapped driven gears, and a set of intermediates whereby motion may be alternately transmitted from one of said driven gears to the gear keyed on said shaft, and means for shifting the intermediates when opposite the gaps in the driven gears.

11. In combination, a driving gear, a shaft, a gear thereon, a pair of oppositely rotatlng gapped driven gears, and means whereby motion may be transmitted alternately from said driven ears to the gear on said shaft to drive saic shaft alternately in op osite directions, and means for shifting t e intermediates when opposite the gaps in the driven gears; with a'segment connected with the gear on said shaft, and 15 a crank actuated raek-har adapted to be engaged by said segment and reverse the motion of the shaft, while both said driven gears are freed from said driving gear.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing 20 as my own, I aflix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

MICHAEL ANDREW DROITCOUR. Witnesses;

CHAS. HICKMAN, PERCY G. SHAW. 

